Dr. Kelvin Sharp has great expectations for his new role as South Plains College’s fourth president.

On Nov. 11, the South Plains College Board of Regents voted unanimously to name Dr. Sharp to the college’s presidency during the monthly meeting following the announcement of the resignation of Dr. Gary D. McDaniel, and he took office immediately.

“Dr. McDaniel has had a very honorable career, and I do have much respect for this man,” said Dr. Sharp.

“I am very proud to accept the presidency of South Plains College,” Dr. Sharp told the Board. “This is a great opportunity with a great institution.”

Dr. Sharp is originally from Tryon, Neb., where he began his dreams of having a career in education. He received his bachelor of science degree in physics and mathematics from Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. He then went on to get a master of arts degree in mathematics from Texas Tech University and holds a doctorate of education degree in higher education administration from TTU. He has taught in public schools, at the university level, and also at community colleges.

“It is unique to see the consistency and inconsistency of teaching at the different levels of education,” said Dr. Sharp.
 

He has worked in education for a total of 24 years. Dr. Sharp, 47, came to SPC from West Texas A&M University where he served as instructor in mathematics, coach of the rodeo team, and assistant to the University Development Office for four years. For seven years he served as math and rodeo physical education instructor, and for three years as dean of instruction at Clarendon College.
 

He came to SPC in July 1999 as dean of arts and sciences. He later was promoted to vice president for academic affairs in January 2000. During his tenure at SPC, he has led the college through its most successful reaccreditations with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Dr. Sharp has been involved in facilitating the growth of the South Plains College faculty during a time of record enrollments, and he has worked to support professional development and expansion of technology in the classrooms.
 

As president, Dr. Sharp said he would mostly like to continue the partnerships with the public schools, continue adding SPC on and off the home campus, and continue helping the transfer to the four year universities to remain as smooth as possible.
 

“I simply want to follow what Dr. McDaniel has begun,” Dr. Sharp said. “ He had this college and the Board on a great track of moving forward, and he has made some very honorable contributions. I hope to keep building on that as president.”
 

Dr. Sharp agrees that this is a very promising institution and assures that he will do what it takes to keep SPC in a growing stage and in upward motion as far as enrollment, physical growth of the college and its additional campus locations and education opportunities.
 

“I will maintain the reputation and quality that this college is recognized for,” assured Dr. Sharp. “It is my goal for the board that we will keep Building buildings and keep planning and activating extensions.”

Sharp said he expects t o stay at SPC until his retirement.
 

He said that serving as president has been a goal that he has wanted to attain. He added that he had been looking for this opportunity, yet he did not know that it would be at South Plains College.

“I did not know that this honor was going to be bestowed on me, but I am very thrilled it is at SPC,” Dr. Sharp said. “ I am very truly honored.”
 

Dr. Sharp and his wife Lessa, who serves as the college’s dean of women, have two children, Lindsey, 7, and John, 4.